Syracuse, NY - Onondaga County Judge Joseph Fahey today agreed to one final adjournment in the case against a former Sheriff's deputy accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with two underage boys.

After meeting with the lawyers in the case in chambers, Fahey took the bench in court to say he understood a possible plea deal was close to being finalized with Alexander Nicholson.

Nicholson, 35, of 134 Dewey St., Syracuse, resigned from the Sheriff's Department last October as authorities began investigating the allegations. He was named in April in a 36-count indictment on charges of second- and third-degree criminal sexual act, official misconduct, endangering the welfare of a child and unlawfully dealing with a child.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Matthew Doran said in court today a disposition of the case had been held up by concerns about getting input from the two boys and their families.

Doran said attorney Robert Lahm is representing one of the victims and has given his approval to the proposed plea deal. Lahm has been invited into chambers for the discussions with the judge each of the last several times the case was on Fahey's calendar. He has only been willing to say he represents one of the victims who has put the county on notice of plans to file a lawsuit for damages.

Doran told Fahey a letter and numerous phone calls to the second victim have not resulted in any response. The prosecutor said he'd like to make one last effort to try and get a response from that victim and his family.

Fahey then agreed to postpone the case for a week. If the second victim doesn't respond by then, Fahey said he would consider letting the case be resolved at that time without any additional victim input.

Nicholson is accused of engaging in sex acts with one boy from July 2007 -- when the victim was 14 -- through May 2010. He's also accused of providing that boy with alcohol.

Nicholson is accused of engaging in sex acts with the second youth -- who was younger than 17 -- during May and June 2010. He's also accused of letting that second youth handle his duty pistol and of using a law enforcement computer to obtain information about civilian personnel, which he then shared with the youth.

He's also accused of misusing his position as a deputy to engage in sexual activities with the two boys. Authorities have said the sexual encounters occurred while Nicholson was off-duty.

Nicholson could face up to seven years in prison if convicted of the sexual charges involving the first victim. He could face up to four years in prison for the charges involving the second boy.

Details of the plea deal being offered to Nicholson have not been revealed.